two-way

adjective

ˈtü-ˈwā 

1

: moving or allowing movement in either direction

a two-way bridge

2

a

: involving or allowing an exchange between two individuals or groups

there must be good two-way communication

—Jerrold Orne

especially : designed for both sending and receiving messages

two-way radio

b

: involving mutual responsibility or reciprocal relationships

political alliance is a two-way thing

—T. H. White †1986

3

a

: involving two participants

a two-way race

b

sports : playing on both the offensive and defensive squads of a team (as in American football)

Frost, a throwback to the era of two-way players, is the Cardinal's starting free safety and backup quarterback.

—The New York Times

also : playing both offense and defense well

a basketball forward who's a talented two-way player

4

: usable in either of two manners

a two-way lamp

5

: being a cock or valve that will connect a pipe or channel with either of two others

Examples of two-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Contract status: Will be a free agent after spending last season on a two-way contract. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024

Specific off-site improvements include a new traffic signal, landscaped medians, a buffered bike lane and a two-way cycle track on the south side of Friars Road. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024

In 1993, the McLaren F1 set a production-car top-speed world record, reaching 231 mph at Nardo; five years later, the F1 shattered its own record, recording a two-way average of 240 mph at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessein test track. —Bob Sorokanich, Robb Report, 9 May 2024

The team could include 2023 second-round draft pick Colby Jones, two-way player Mason Jones and whichever players the Kings select in the 2024 draft. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024

The Hornets fell in love with Miller’s two-way skill set during the draft-prep process, pleased by his eagerness to take on challenges defensively. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2024

That’s because, no matter the era, nothing is as valuable as a two-way center in this league. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024

Groups Focusing on the two-way Biden-Trump race, results show the pull of partisanship and ideology. —Gary Langer, ABC News, 5 May 2024

In a five-way poll factoring in the three leading third-party candidates, independents Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornell West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein, the Biden-Trump split falls along similar lines, on a smaller scale, as the polling on a two-way way race. —George Fabe Russell, USA TODAY, 5 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

two-way

adjective

1

: moving or acting or allowing movement or action in either direction

two-way traffic

a two-way street

2

a

: involving two persons or groups

communication is a two-way process

b

: made to send and receive messages

a two-way radio